Esther Naomi Goad

Esther Naomi Goad passed from this life to her eternal reward on Friday, March 13, 2015. She was born August 23, 1928, in Niotaze, KS, to Harry and Ora Hibbert. She was the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Galva, KS, High School. Upon graduation, she attended and was in the very first class in 1946 of Southwestern Bible College in Oklahoma City, now Southwestern Christian University of Bethany, OK. Esther was the first pianist for the campus church, which ultimately became the congregation of River of Life Church. Esther met the love of her life, Dick Goad of Cleveland, OK, in her second year of college. They married on her 20th birthday on August 23, 1948. Their marriage would endure 66 years until Dick’s passing in September, 2014. Esther and Dick had four children, Richard, Carol, Susan, and Donna. Dick and Esther were inseparable, enjoying the mutual calling on their lives as best friends as well as husband and wife. Esther served the family in the home until her children were nearly grown. She primarily worked in banking, except for a few years in the seventies which she worked in the offices of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Esther served with her husband as a pastor’s wife, pianist, office assistant, and whatever was needed to help in all the various assignments they were asked to serve in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, and California. She loved the Lord and being a minister’s wife, but her ministry as wife, mother and grandmother were her greatest calling and fulfillment. She was adored by her family and is missed tremendously. She is survived by son Richard and his wife Linda Goad; daughter Carol and her husband Wayne Crane; daughter Susan and her husband Bernie Carlisle; daughter Donna and her husband Johnny Stevens; and nine grandchildren: Laurie and John Leggett; Jeff and Kasie Goad; Ryan Goad; Jennifer and Travis Reid; Aaron Crane; Karen and Justin Resnick; Kelly and Tanner Tate; Johna and Derek Swann; Justin and Haley Stevens; and twelve Great-Grandchildren: Austin, Abigail and Avery Leggett; Allison, Anna, and Kendall Goad; Ella, Morgan and Ashley Reid; Taylor and Madison Resnick; and Lorelai Tate; and brother Clarence Hibbert of Lenexa, KS; and many nieces and nephews.